Living the Dream and remembering the Bagman TRIP REPORT COMPLETED IN THIS FORUM - Page 17 - PassPorter - A Community of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and General Travel Forums
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Very cool lounge. Do you happen to recall the time it took to rotate between all of the sky lines?
This is the beauty of digital photos. I looked back at the time the first and last shots were taken, and it looks as if it took an hour to rotate the whole way through.
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Tuesday 27 September – part eight: and it’s finally goodbye to my old friend…
We headed up to deck 12, already feeling the effects of alcohol slightly, shall we say? We checked in, and as we were a few minutes early, we headed into the Meridian lounge.
My birthday!
While here, we saw how well Disney staff deal with those who arrive and their attire isn’t in line with the Disney clothing policy. A guy turned up in trainers (sneakers), and immediately the Crew Member so graciously took him to one size, asked for his size, and handed him a pair of shoes to change into. Very nicely done!
We were taken through a couple of minutes later…
Our server for the evening was Franco, who appropriately enough comes from Italy:
We were first presented with the antipasti trolley, and I went for the veggie items, while Mark had the non-veggie ones:
We also ordered a glass of rosa regale wine each, yes on top of the cocktails from earlier!
We ended up agreeing to share two appetisers, as we both fancied the same two. The first was the tomato and mozzarella Caprese, sliced beefsteak tomatoes with buffalo mozzarella, basil, virgin olive oil and arugula leaves, and this was just as good as on previous visits here.
We both thought they’d changed our second choice, which was fritto di calamari e gamberi, deep-fried shrimp and calamari with lemon-garlic mayonnaise, and marinara dippings. We both swear the last time we ate here, this was just the fried calamari, without the shrimp.
After this, we had our palate cleanser of lemon sorbet with blueberry:
Franco offered to get a photo of us:
For entrée, I finally had to say goodbye to my beloved lobster ravioli that has been my staple here for so many years, in fact since we first started cruising with Disney. Even when they changed the menu, for the last couple of years, I’ve been able to ask for it off menu, and have been delighted to find they’d still do it for me. Not tonight. I had to move well and truly out of my comfort zone, and tried the butternut agnolotti, with sage-brown butter topped with amaretti and buffalo mozzarella. It was very good, but of course, it could never come close to my lobster ravioli. Can you tell, it’s going to take a long time for me to get over the loss of that dish?
Mark went for the grilled prime beef tenderloin with pancetta potato, sautéed spinach, a choice of Barolo Chinato wine sauce or gorgonzola cheese sauce. Mark went with the wine sauce, as the cheese sauce would knock him out completely! There was quite a funny story to this. Mark originally asked for the chicken, and Franco’s next words were “you know I said everything here was very good or excellent? Well, these are one of the very good dishes”. He was certainly honest. He said he’d never had one sent back before, but they just weren’t excellent. Well, it was enough to sway Mark anyway!
During the meal, we saw lots of lightning, and it was really quite something. At first, I thought it was someone taking flash photos, it was that bright, but it was literally lighting up the entire view outside – you could see where the sea met the sky on a few occasions. I have honestly never seen anything like it in my life before. It was quite a scary sight in some ways…
We were also treated to some live music from this woman. She was excellent!
Before our entrée, we had been asked if we wanted a soufflé. Well, d’oh – of course we did! We were told that there are now two choices. As well as the traditional chocolate soufflé, they now do an amaretto one that comes with vanilla ice cream. Well, we didn’t need telling twice. We both decided to go for it. Oh wow, this is a superb addition to their menu. Apparently, it’s been on trial for about six months, so it still isn’t appearing on the regular dessert menu, which is a shame, as it’s excellent, and I think it deserves its place.
Mark finished his, but I just couldn’t. It was a little too rich, and I knew if I finished it, that would be way beyond comfortably full. Guess who got indigestion in the middle of the night? That’s all I’m saying…
We both ordered a limoncello to finish off dinner…
However, we’d both forgotten that you get a digestif complimentary – oh boy, more alcohol! I asked what was in it, as I seemed to remember I couldn’t have it. I was right, it had cavaldos in it, which is apples. Franco was a bit annoyed I hadn’t mentioned my allergies earlier on in the meal, but I explained that if it’s not listed on a menu, it’s usually fine, and I can make my own decisions. I also explained we’ve had a couple of instances where things have basically been taken away from both of us, because of allergies, when we’d have been fine with them. I love the way Disney deals with this, but they are a little over zealous at times…
Anyway, Mark had his, and I got one that was apple free, but still tasted good to me.
Oh my, look at Mark’s reaction to this!
It wasn’t long after this that we had to stagger back to our room, as our wonderful meal at Palo was over. They had delivered again, but then again, they do every time we visit.
When we got back to our room, we found perhaps one of the cutest and best towel animals ever. Isn’t he great?
The weather today was hot and humid with some sun and temperatures in the low 90s. The best thing today was dinner at Palo. The worst thing today was having to listen to the party boat music from Carnival. Today we tried watching the Halloween Party And the result was it was a lot of fun. The most magical moment today was meeting Minnie after the Halloween Party.
So happy to see Palo delivered again! I'm sure it'll be hard to top the lobster ravioli. Much luck in finding something in the next few cruises.... The souffle sounds absolutely wonderful and looked delicious too, oh my. Love, love, love amaretto!!
Very cool, yet scary, about the lightning. We are a storm watching household and I'm sure that would have captivated us!
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Dinner at Palo looked fabulous!!! It was nice that they adhere to their dress policy too and handled it in such a polite way. Is Palo a restaurant on the ship that you have to pay extra for?
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I think you are correct about the calamari always being solo in the past. The shrimp must be a newer addition.
The amaretto soufflé sounds delicious - but I might have to order one of each, as I LOVE the chocolate version so much. I have made it at home, but it's not the same when you've had to work for it!
We are in a serious debate about whether to take advantage of the new policy that allows Palo reservations on embarkation night, in addition to your one reservation ahead of time. We don't want to miss meeting our table mates and servers, but to know you're guaranteed 2 dinners at Palo? Hard to pass up. I have about 50 days to decide!
Was that Mark's Jafar hat sitting in the background on the pic of the two of you? I thought I could see Iago looking on.....
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Dinner at Palo looked fabulous!!! It was nice that they adhere to their dress policy too and handled it in such a polite way. Is Palo a restaurant on the ship that you have to pay extra for?
Yes, it's now $30/person. I cannot wait for our next cruise, because as platinum Castaway Club members (finally! ) we don't have to pay that fee for one of our Palo brunch or dinners. Nice perk!
I think you are correct about the calamari always being solo in the past. The shrimp must be a newer addition.
Glad you thought so too...
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The amaretto soufflé sounds delicious - but I might have to order one of each, as I LOVE the chocolate version so much.
Well... there is another alternative. You could each order one and then share... if that's not too much of a dirty word?
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I have made it at home, but it's not the same when you've had to work for it!
Oh my gosh, I can imagine it's not!
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We are in a serious debate about whether to take advantage of the new policy that allows Palo reservations on embarkation night, in addition to your one reservation ahead of time. We don't want to miss meeting our table mates and servers, but to know you're guaranteed 2 dinners at Palo? Hard to pass up. I have about 50 days to decide!
Oh wow, something else I've missed? What is it with Disney and all their announcements? I just cannot keep up! Hmm... that is a tough call, but if you could book for maybe 7:30pm and you're on early seating, you'd still get to meet your table mates.....
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Was that Mark's Jafar hat sitting in the background on the pic of the two of you? I thought I could see Iago looking on.....
Yes it is - well spotted, although for the life of me, I cannot remember why on earth he had it with him. He was hardly going to wear it at Palo.
Well... there is another alternative. You could each order one and then share... if that's not too much of a dirty word?
Oh wow, something else I've missed? What is it with Disney and all their announcements? I just cannot keep up! Hmm... that is a tough call, but if you could book for maybe 7:30pm and you're on early seating, you'd still get to meet your table mates.....
Yes it is - well spotted, although for the life of me, I cannot remember why on earth he had it with him. He was hardly going to wear it at Palo.
Share?! Soufflé?! I'm sorry, I don't understand. Must be some weird British saying!
Yes, I guess Palo (and Remy on the Dream class) must be too light on first night bookings, so now when you do online checkin, you can book 2 dinners, as long as one is the first night.
Sadly, we have second seating for dinner, so unless we booked Palo for 8:45 or 9, it wouldn't work to do both.
I was wondering the same thing - why would Mark wear a Jafar hat to Palo? But I'm not judging!
Share?! Soufflé?! I'm sorry, I don't understand. Must be some weird British saying!
Uh ok... I did wonder how that idea might land.. I guess now I have my answer!
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Yes, I guess Palo (and Remy on the Dream class) must be too light on first night bookings, so now when you do online checkin, you can book 2 dinners, as long as one is the first night.
I suspect they've always been light on the first night for exactly the reason you said - people want to meet table mates on the first night.
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Sadly, we have second seating for dinner, so unless we booked Palo for 8:45 or 9, it wouldn't work to do both.
Aw shucks... I tried.
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I was wondering the same thing - why would Mark wear a Jafar hat to Palo? But I'm not judging!
I've just asked him and he can't remember either.... it will remain a mystery!
What a wonderful meal you had as everything looks so good. From beginning to end I don't think there is anything that looked unappealing. Love the Rosa Regale wine as I had one of those at the F&W Fest last October! I'm sure the two of you slept well with a few drinks, but you enjoyed such a great meal!
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October 6, 2017-Enjoying an amazing dinner at Victoria & Albert's with PP's Dot and Drew
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We checked in, and as we were a few minutes early, we headed into the Meridian lounge. 
I had to move well and truly out of my comfort zone, and tried the butternut agnolotti, with sage-brown butter topped with amaretti and buffalo mozzarella. It was very good, but of course, it could never come close to my lobster ravioli. Can you tell, it’s going to take a long time for me to get over the loss of that dish? 
it was literally lighting up the entire view outside – you could see where the sea met the sky on a few occasions. I have honestly never seen anything like it in my life before. 
We were told that there are now two choices. As well as the traditional chocolate soufflé, they now do an amaretto one that comes with vanilla ice cream. Well, we didn’t need telling twice. 
I asked what was in it, as I seemed to remember I couldn’t have it. I was right, it had cavaldos in it, which is apples. Franco was a bit annoyed I hadn’t mentioned my allergies earlier on in the meal, but I explained that if it’s not listed on a menu, it’s usually fine, and I can make my own decisions. I also explained we’ve had a couple of instances where things have basically been taken away from both of us, because of allergies, when we’d have been fine with them. I love the way Disney deals with this, but they are a little over zealous at times… 
The souffle sounds absolutely wonderful and looked delicious too, oh my. 
Love, love, love amaretto!!
) we don't have to pay that fee for one of our Palo brunch or dinners. Nice perk! 
What is it with Disney and all their announcements? I just cannot keep up! Hmm... that is a tough call, but if you could book for maybe 7:30pm and you're on early seating, you'd still get to meet your table mates..... 
From beginning to end I don't think there is anything that looked unappealing. Love the Rosa Regale wine as I had one of those at the F&W Fest last October! 
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